CHARACTER COUNTS!
words and music by Jimmy Hammer and Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Sync Track (ASCAP) and Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
chorus:
CHARACTER COUNTS! It counts a lot for me.
Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility.
Fairness, caring, citizenship —
This all amounts to
CHARACTER COUNTS!
verse one:
What I do when nobody’s looking
Is a chance for me to see
Just what kind of person
I choose to be.
I hold on to my honor.
I take each bump in stride.
It’s a noble quest,
And I do my best
To live each day with pride.
‘Cause…
(repeat chorus)
verse two:
I can hear a thousand voices
Telling me what’s true.
Some say I am foolish
To live the way I do.
If I don’t keep my virtue,
Then what good is my gain?
When something’s right,
I give it all my might.
When it’s not right,
I refrain.
Because…
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
I make mistakes.
I disappoint my friends,
And when I do,
I try to make amends.
I always know
That true success depends
On moral courage.
(repeat chorus twice)
tag:
Everywhere!
All the time!
Trustworthiness
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one: (honesty)
I tell the truth — every word and deed.
I don’t cheat or steal.
I don’t deceive, don’t use trickery
‘Cause I’ve got to keep it real.
chorus:
Trustworthiness.
Trustworthiness.
I profess nothin’ less than
Trustworthiness.
verse two: (integrity)
I hold on tight to my principles.
Haven’t lost them yet.
I never will.
They are not for sale.
What you see is what you get.
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
It feels so good to know
Others believe in me.
Each day is a chance to grow.
I can’t wait to see
What I’m able to be.
verse three: (promise-keeping)
I take great care with my promises
So there is no doubt.
I’m crystal clear in what I say I’ll do.
I don’t try to wiggle out.
(repeat chorus)
verse four: (loyalty)
I’m well aware in some relationships,
I am duty-bound
To work as one, serve the common good,
And to keep us safe and sound.
(repeat chorus)
Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won’t.
words and music by Stuart Stotts and Dave Kinnoin
©2009 Cerisacal Music (BMI)
and Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
Grandmother’s callin’ on the telephone.
Mama says, “Tell her I’m not home.”
Joe pushes Julie off the jungle gym.
I wonder if I oughta go tell on him?
Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
verse two:
Daddy’s on the freeway goin’ eighty-five.
I can’t wait till I learn to drive!
A lady drops her wallet in the restaurant.
I could spend that money
On some stuff I want.
Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
Maybe I Will, maybe I won’t.
bridge:
Tug of war in my head.
What was that my conscience said?
verse three:
Nobody’s lookin’ at the mall today.
I could grab a shirt and just walk away.
Debbie got a copy of the test last night.
I could take a peek and get the answers right.
Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
(repeat bridge)
verse four:
The big boss says I’ve gotta use good sense:
Shut my mouth and shred the evidence.
I’m lookin’ back on my history,
Tryin’ to figure out how this all happened to me.
Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
Maybe I will, maybe I….won’t.
A Little Respect
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
I’d like a little respect if you don’t mind.
I’m not the grooviest person you’ll ever find,
But I’m here on Earth With you and the others,
And we all have worth. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
You look like you might resist,
But I’m gonna insist on…
chorus:
A little respect.
Just treat me like you wanna be treated.
Respect.
I don’t want this thing to get over-heated.
I really hope you won’t object
To giving me
A little respect.
verse two:
I’d like a little respect if that’s okay.
You’re not my favorite person,
But I’m here to say
I have regard for you,
Not huge amounts, given what you do,
But some, yeah some.
You look like your head’s on fire,
But I’m gonna require…
(repeat chorus)
chorus tag:
A little respect
Am I asking too much?
bridge:
I’m not suggesting we shake hands,
But the insults have to cease.
It’s okay to be angry,
But may we please increase
Our chance for peace?
(repeat chorus)
verse three:
I’d like a little respect and nothin’ more.
We’re not lookin’ for friendship,
But don’t slam the door
‘Cause ya never know,
We could take a break, let a cool wind blow.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
I feel better already.
Now hold it steady with…
(repeat chorus twice)
I’m Just A Kid Like You
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©1990 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
The other kids said they didn’t like me.
Called me a creep
And threatened to strike me.
They pointed fingers.
They laughed and jeered.
Claimed I was ugly and terminally weird.
I said…
chorus:
Hey, hey, you-hoo,
I’m just a kid —
I’m just a kid like you.
Hey, hey, you-hoo,
Why do you say what you say,
Do what you do?
Why can’t you see
I’m just a kid like you?
verse two:
I stood my ground
And stated quite clearly,
“I’m no outsider —
No, not even nearly.
I am your neighbor on the family tree.
Look in the mirror —
You’re just a kid like me!”
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
Why don’t you tap on your head
And wake ’em up
Just in case your brains are playin’ dead?
verse three:
They said, “If you’re so smart,
Why you shakin’?”
I said, “Because I’m a man in the makin’,
And I get scared sometimes in a jam,
But I remember to stick with what I am!”
(repeat chorus)
Responsibility
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
I am not a puppet, no!
I’m in charge of me, and so
I take the credit and the blame.
I treat them both the same.
I withstand the wind.
I am self-disciplined.
When adverse forces grow,
I swear I won’t let go of my…
chorus:
Responsibility.
Responsibility.
I do what I’m supposed to do.
I don’t quit,
I push on through.
I’m the best I can be —
That’s my responsibility.
verse two:
Deeds have consequences.Â
Fact! So I think before I act,
Yet I’m not afraid to decide.
I’ll bravely take the ride.
Push can come to pull.
I am accountable.
You will depend on me
‘Cause every day you’ll see my…
(repeat chorus)
bridge
Where there is darkness, I’ll bring light.
I have the strength to do what’s right.
I’ll walk the road that’s rough
Because I’m tough enough.
(repeat chorus)
Where Did My Money Go
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2009 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
I had a bundle of money:
A couple of fives and a one,
Seventeen nickels, a dime, and five pennies —
A pretty good sum for some fun.
I can remember the movie.
There was some food and a drink.
I must’ve spent more, maybe at the toy store.
I’m scratchin’ my head as I think.
chorus:
Where did my money go?
Where did my money go?
My pockets are empty, and I wanna know,
Where did my money go?
verse two:
Let’s see, the movie was four bucks.
Three dollars more for the snacks.
The toy store was havin’ a special on posters:
Two for four-fifty, plus tax.
I bought a couple of gumballs —
That brought me down to one dime.
That seemed so small,
I bought another gumball.
It seemed pretty smart at the time.
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
I have learned a lesson,
Now that my stack is thin.
I need to take care. I better beware:
Those gumballs can do you in.
(repeat chorus)
Fairness Awareness
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
I am giving two to you,
I am giving three to me.
Whatcha frownin’ for?
Okay, here’s one more.
We will live in harmony.
verse two:
I prepare a scrumptious meal.
Near the end I see you smirk.
You eat all the pie,
Causing me to cry.
Wow, your manners need some work!
chorus:
Fairness awareness —
Equity for you and me.
Put your prejudice aside.
Let your mind be open wide.
Fairness awareness —
Do what’s right for all to see.
Let the winds of truth prevail,
The ships of justice sail
To Fairness Awareness Land.
Wouldn’t that be grand?
verse three:
When I listen carefully,
I see other points of view.
I take turns and play
By the rules each day.
I don’t take advantage of you.
verse four:
I correct mistakes I make.
You deserve an even shake.
I do not defend
Wrongness by a friend.
Yet, sometimes we all need a break!
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
Some wonder whom to blame
For this outrageous game.
I know that some say
It’s kind of a dumb day
When time signatures can’t stay the same.
To this I will reply,
I need not justify
Changes quite charming,
If somewhat disarming,
That help us tell boredom good-bye.
(repeat chorus)
No Matter How Small
words and music by Randy Sharp and Dave Kinnoin
©2009 With Any Luck Music (BMI)
and Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
Tiny starfish wash ashore.
Every new wave brings some more.
A little girl tries so hard to save them all,
No matter how small.
verse two:
Little cowboy dreams again
Of bustin’ broncos ’cause now and then
All of us need to feel we’re ten feet tall,
No matter how small.
bridge:
All grown up or still a child,
A lesson to the wise:
It’s about what’s in the heart,
And not about the size.
verse three:
Draw the covers.
Lights go out,
And the last thing we think about
Will probably be some kindness we recall
That meant most of all,
No matter how small.
Caring Avenue
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
When I see a friend who’s lookin’ lonely
Right there in my busy day,
I can feel a tug that causes me
To send a little smile her way.
And if I sense that’s not enough,
I turn to her and say,
“Why don’t we stop what we’re doin’
And go outside and play?”
We’re
chorus:
Living on Caring Avenue.
Our hearts know exactly what to do.
You give to me, I give to you.
We’re living on Caring Avenue.
verse two:
When I have a problem, and I’m thinkin’
“Maybe this time hope is gone,”
Suddenly I hear a voice beside me
Sayin’, “Hey, what’s goin’ on?”
And then I know I’m not alone.
I’ll make it through somehow.
That’s when I stop goin’ crazy
‘Cause someone’s with me now.
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
It’s never wrong to sing a song
On this two-way street,
With its ups and downs,
Its sour and sweet,
Its mysteries and imperfections.
We all arrive without directions.
It’s kinda neat
To find our beat.
verse three:
When I read about a total stranger
Living in a far-off land
Who’s swallowed up by fear and anger,
It is hard for me to understand.
I lie awake and think out loud,
“Hey, wouldn’t it be good
If we could stop and talk it over
In a loving neighborhood?”
And sing…
(repeat chorus)
Any Other Kid
words and music by Randy Sharp and Dave Kinnoin
©2009 With Any Luck Music (BMI)
and Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
I was at my worst, makin’ no sense at all,
Rollin’ up everything I’d ever done right,
Smashin’ it against the wall,
Out of control, way too loud,
And downright rude —
A walking definition of a really bad attitude.
verse two:
Full of myself — everything was all about me.
Thinkin’ that I was doin’ anything wrong
Was not a possibility.
It must’ve been hard
Puttin’ up with me back then.
No one else saw any future
In bein’ my best friend.
chorus:
Any other kid
Woulda cut out on the double,
Said I wasn’t worth the trouble,
And left me there.
But that’s not what you did —
You stayed and talked me through it.
You cared enough to do it.
You’re not just any other kid.
verse three:
When the dust all cleared,
You and me, eye to eye.
Maybe I didn’t have a single excuse,
But I had a lotta reasons why.
The minute you stayed
And let me pour them out,
I got a whole new understanding
Of what all this might be about.
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
If you should ever need someone
The way I needed you,
I hope that I turn out to be
As good a friend as you were to me.
(repeat chorus)
Citizenship
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2010 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
We noticed that the local park
Was not lookin’ pretty.
We scratched our heads and promptly formed
An ad hoc committee.
We devised a plan and divvied up
Responsibilities.
We all got to it. Before we knew it,
We started planting trees!
chorus:
Citizenship.
Citizenship.
Working together is quite a trip.
It’s lots of fun and meaningful and totally hip.
Citizenship.
verse two:
Our soccer team was feelin’ low
‘Cause our sponsor stated
Our monetary fun was somewhat
Under-inflated.
“Computer Fix-It Day” was hatched —
People came in swarms.
We scrolled and pointed and soon anointed
Our brand-new uniforms!
(repeat chorus)
bridge:
You meet the nicest people!
You do exciting things!
The part that’s most appealing
Is the warm, inviting feeling it brings!
(repeat chorus)
How Do You Say “Butterfly”?
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©1998 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)
verse one:
How do you say “butterfly” in Spanish?
Tell me, how?
If you can say “mariposa,”
You’ll be right, right now!
If you see a “mariposa” flying in the sky,
You will know that “mariposa”
Is Spanish for “butterfly.”
verse two:
How do you say “butterfly” in French?
Tell me, how?
If you can say “papillon,”
You’ll be right, right now!
If you see a “papillon” flying in the sky,
You will know that “papillon”
Is French for “butterfly.”
bridge:
It’s a game — let’s play it.
What language shall we try?
No matter how we say it,
It’s still a butterfly.
verse three:
How do you say “butterfly” in German?
Tell me, how?
If you can say “schmetterling,”
You’ll be right, right now!
If you see a “schmetterling” flying in the sky,
You will know that “schmetterling”
Is German for “butterfly.”
verse four:
How do you say “butterfly” in Japanese?
Tell me, how?
If you can say “chocho,”
You’ll be right, right now!
If you see a “chocho” flying in the sky,
You will know that “chocho”
Is Japanese for “butterfly.”
tag:
It’s fun to say “butterfly.”
How do you say “butterfly”?